Pilots injured after ejecting from jet near Sheppard AFB

Jul. 19, 2013 - 11:49AM
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WICHITA FALLS, TEXAS — Two pilots suffered minor injuries when they ejected from their jet before it crashed to the ground south of Sheppard Air Force Base in North Texas.

The Times Record News in Wichita Falls reports the wreck was caused by the T-38 Talon striking a bird shortly before 7 a.m. Friday. Base spokesman Daniel Hawkins would not confirm the cause, citing the ongoing investigation.

The two-seat, twin-engine jet went down at the edge of a heavily wooded area and burst into flames.

Maj. Christopher Thompson was instructing a member of the German Air Force, identified by Hawkins as 1st Lt. Julius Dressbach. Hawkins said the two are part of the base’s Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program. The program trains students from nine NATO countries.